AIESEC Puerto Rico History
Following the aftermath of World War II, in September of 1946, students from 9 Universities and 6 Europuean countries came together in Liege to build a new co-operation to ensure that a disastrous war will never happen again and to promote cultural understanding. From this meeting, AIESEC emerges as the premier youth-led international organization aimed at promoting peace through cultural exchange. It stands for (French):
A ssociation
I nternationale des
E tudiants en
S ciences
E conomiques et
C ommerciale
AIESEC was officially founded in 1948 with seven countries in Europe, and its main activities were study tours and cultural tours. This was all occurring during the rebuilding period of Europe after WWII when the Global Economy began to take shape (emerging super powers, trade agreements, monetary standards, internationalization of business, etc…).
AIESEC continued to extend overseas during the next 10 years, reaching American universities in the process. In 1958 NYU opens an official extension in Puerto Rico, at the University of Puerto Rico, Campus Río Piedras (UPR). Professor Dr. Antero at UPR starts formal AIESEC meetings with a small group of studentsin a small room in the last floor of FAE, where the cleaning staff of the university actually had their supplies.
Fast forward 10 years, and in 1968, AIESEC in Puerto Rico was officially granted full-time status by AIESEC International. It was a fully recognized entity, independent from both NYU and AIESEC United States. The founder of AIESEC in Puerto Rico is Lucy Cuadrado, who is now retired and currently writing a book on AIESEC.
From 1982 to 1989, Anges Suárez becomes the first Puerto Rican to hold a position at AIESEC International, setting off a long tradition of Puerto Ricans in AI during the 1980’s. In 1985, Annette García assumed the presidency in Puerto Rico and it was under her leadership, direction, and vision that AIESEC Puerto Rico became the third strongest country in the IGN. It was also during this time that AIESEC Dominican Republic was founded (1988) with full support from AIESEC Puerto Rico. The President from 1988 to 1989 was Maria Medina.
Although AIESEC in Puerto Rico seemed to be off to a strong start, during the 1990’s and until 2005, AIESEC Puerto Rico had a strong decrease in the activities that were taking place on the Island. It wasn’t until 2006/07 that Puerto Rico witnessed a change in vision and direction for the organization. The 2006/07 President was Dorys Morales, followed by Janeth Pineda for the 2007/08 term, and followed up by Betsy Salas for the 2008/2009 term. The current MCP of AIESEC in Puerto Rico is Fátima Rocha from AIESEC Mexico and the MCP Elect for the 2010/11 term is Maria Mercedes Rodriguez, from AIESEC Puerto Rico.
In 2009, AIESEC in Puerto Rico won “Most Progressive Entity” at the International Leadership Congress in Guatemala City, Guatemala for their Business Entrepreneurship Project, “Puerto Rico to the World,” which was a joint effort with “la Compañía de Comercio y Exportación de Puerto Rico.” In 2009, AIESEC Puerto Rico also saw the induction of two former AIESEC Puerto Rico members into to AIESEC Hall of Fame: Anges Suárez and Héctor Ledesma.
A ssociation
I nternationale des
E tudiants en
S ciences
E conomiques et
C ommerciale
AIESEC was officially founded in 1948 with seven countries in Europe, and its main activities were study tours and cultural tours. This was all occurring during the rebuilding period of Europe after WWII when the Global Economy began to take shape (emerging super powers, trade agreements, monetary standards, internationalization of business, etc…).
AIESEC continued to extend overseas during the next 10 years, reaching American universities in the process. In 1958 NYU opens an official extension in Puerto Rico, at the University of Puerto Rico, Campus Río Piedras (UPR). Professor Dr. Antero at UPR starts formal AIESEC meetings with a small group of studentsin a small room in the last floor of FAE, where the cleaning staff of the university actually had their supplies.
Fast forward 10 years, and in 1968, AIESEC in Puerto Rico was officially granted full-time status by AIESEC International. It was a fully recognized entity, independent from both NYU and AIESEC United States. The founder of AIESEC in Puerto Rico is Lucy Cuadrado, who is now retired and currently writing a book on AIESEC.
From 1982 to 1989, Anges Suárez becomes the first Puerto Rican to hold a position at AIESEC International, setting off a long tradition of Puerto Ricans in AI during the 1980’s. In 1985, Annette García assumed the presidency in Puerto Rico and it was under her leadership, direction, and vision that AIESEC Puerto Rico became the third strongest country in the IGN. It was also during this time that AIESEC Dominican Republic was founded (1988) with full support from AIESEC Puerto Rico. The President from 1988 to 1989 was Maria Medina.
Although AIESEC in Puerto Rico seemed to be off to a strong start, during the 1990’s and until 2005, AIESEC Puerto Rico had a strong decrease in the activities that were taking place on the Island. It wasn’t until 2006/07 that Puerto Rico witnessed a change in vision and direction for the organization. The 2006/07 President was Dorys Morales, followed by Janeth Pineda for the 2007/08 term, and followed up by Betsy Salas for the 2008/2009 term. The current MCP of AIESEC in Puerto Rico is Fátima Rocha from AIESEC Mexico and the MCP Elect for the 2010/11 term is Maria Mercedes Rodriguez, from AIESEC Puerto Rico.
In 2009, AIESEC in Puerto Rico won “Most Progressive Entity” at the International Leadership Congress in Guatemala City, Guatemala for their Business Entrepreneurship Project, “Puerto Rico to the World,” which was a joint effort with “la Compañía de Comercio y Exportación de Puerto Rico.” In 2009, AIESEC Puerto Rico also saw the induction of two former AIESEC Puerto Rico members into to AIESEC Hall of Fame: Anges Suárez and Héctor Ledesma.
